| ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
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| Year : 2006 | Volume
: 60
| Issue : 4 | Page : 143-152 |
Results of a single blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to study the effect of intravenous L-carnitine supplementation on health-related quality of life in Indian patients on maintenance hemodialysis
Rahul Rathod1, Mirza Siraz Baig1, PN Khandelwal1, SG Kulkarni2, PR Gade1, Samra Siddiqui1
1 Dept. of Pharmacology, Dept. of Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Aurangabad, India
2 Dept. of Nephrology, Govt. Medical College, Aurangabad, India
Correspondence Address:
Mirza Siraz Baig
Dept. of Pharmacology Govt. Medical College, Aurangabad
India
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DOI: 10.4103/0019-5359.24678 PMID: 16679630
Background: Carnitine insufficiency is responsible for various co-morbid conditions in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. L-carnitine supplementation is expected to improve the quality of life (QoL) of patients on MHD. Aims: To study the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on QoL of Indian patients on MHD. Setting and Design: This was a single (patient) blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted on patients on MHD attending hemodialysis unit of the study center. MaterialS and Methods: Twenty patients on MHD suffering from hemodialysis-related symptoms were randomly assigned to receive intravenous L-carnitine 20 mg/kg or placebo after every dialysis session for 8 weeks. SF36 (Short Form with 36 questions) score for QoL, laboratory investigations and dialysis related symptoms were recorded at baseline and after 8 weeks. Improvement in QoL, laboratory parameters and dialysis related symptoms in the two groups after 8 weeks was compared. Statistical analysis used: Depending on normality of data, unpaired T test or Mann Whitney U test was used for comparison of change (8 weeks-baseline) in SF36 scores and laboratory parameters observed in the two groups. Results: L-carnitine supplementation increased total SF36 score by 18.29 ± 12.71 (95% CI: 10.41 to 26) while placebo resulted in reduction in total SF36 score by 6.4 ± 16.39 (95% CI: -16.59 to 3.73). L-carnitine also resulted in significant increase in hemoglobin and serum albumin and decrease in serum creatinine as compared to placebo. More patients were relieved of dialysis related symptoms in L-carnitine group. Conclusion: Intravenous L-carnitine supplementation improves QoL in patients on MHD.
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